Cape Breton's Magazine

Coal company wage negotiations, 1958. L. to r.: Douglas MacDonald, James Morrison, J. J. MacLean, Frank Doxey, Jack Delaney, Wm. Marsh, H. C. M. Gordon, Steve Doihanty, E. B. Pane, Mickle HIggins, Angus MacDonald, James Jakes, L. J. MacDonald, Wm. E. MacDonald, Ernie Beaton, D. J. Maclsaac. (Never called your men out on strike in 22 years?) No, never. No, no. And, do you know, it was a joke. The year after I left, they were on a 13-week strike! (So, what was the '47 strike about?) '47 strike? Well, actually, 4 we ended up--we went back for less than what we had. And we lost some working conditions and good conditions that we had--we never ever got them back yet. They're still gone! We were on strike for three months. (There hadn't been a strike since 19....) Since 1947. (And that was under Jenkins' leadership.) Yeah. Freeman Jenkins. Midway Motors Ltd. Now with Two Locations: HEAD OFFICE '' NEW OFFICE Middle River Wg Port Hastings 295-2290 '"' 625-3641 We've Been CHRYSLER Since 192 6 WE'RE PROUD TO SHARE... Scottish and Acadian Festivals Hiking trails, picnic and camping parks Museums and heritage The warmest waters north of the Carolinas! Cottage crafts and works of art The Cape Breton highlands National Park Fresh and salt water fishing Horse racing, canoeing, and other sports Fine accommodations, gift shops Restaurants WUdlife The Sunset Side of Cape Breton Requests for Visitor's Guide, brochures, and general information may iDe made to: Inverness County Department of Recreation/Tourism P.O. Box 179. Port Hood, N.S. BOE 2W0 (902)787-2274 See, the company want? ed the strike. (The company wanted the strike!) Oh, yes. See, and they sucked the union in. Because the pits were all devas? tated. See, this is after the war. And they were way behind in the development work, they were behind in everything, be? cause they were trying to produce coal for the war effort. You understand? So they raped the pits, and they pillaged the pits. They took every bit of cheap coal and handy coal they could get. And they didn't have their development work done, and they never put the money back into them, which they should have done. Now, we were on strike for three months, and during the three months--the confidential men is what they called them--the shotfirer and supervisor or what-have-you--they did all the work that had to be done on the deeps. All the maintenance work and all the work that had to be done on the levels, and all the rest of it. And in three months they put the pits right back in good shape. For the company. And then, of course, we went back after three months, and we lost every? thing but our underwear.... I was working in Number 12 then, in 1947. And I'm going to be perfectly frank and honest with you: I couldn't figure it out, and I still haven't figured it out to this day, what in the hell was going on. To be HORYL'S Superior Sausage Co. Jltd. 5247 Union Hwy. • NEW WATERFORD • Bl H 4K4 Phone 862-7177 or 862-7178 SOME OF OUR FINE PRODUCTS INCLUDE: * Polish Sausage .?f'''' * Salami * Kolbassa * Garlic Bologna '''m'' * Hot Pepperoni * Weiners * White Pudding 4|'''?? * Medium Hot Pepperoni , • * Black Pudding 'l'''p* * Sliced Pizza Pepperoni * Cooked Ham * Roast Beef * Italian Sausage We take pride in using only the finest government inspected meats, and the care it talces to maJce our sausages. When you asic for Horyl's, you get the best. • SPECIALIZING IN QUALITY DELI MEATS FOR OVER 60 YEARS •